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Gauges going crazy - electrical problems continuing

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Old Apr 9, 2021 | 12:18 PM
  #51  
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Be very careful with that stupid youtube ground wire. It adds 1 more way to short the TCM. There already is a ground wire in the TCM connector. If adding a ground help that means the connector is the problem.

It would probably be smart to use a VOM to check for continuity from the TCM to ground before adding dangerous stuff.

There is a TSB about avoiding touching the TCM with a live wire. Yes, people can do it.
Old Apr 9, 2021 | 12:38 PM
  #52  
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Three months ago when I asked about adding that ground wire, myself, my (NAPA / AAA Club) certified mechanic said it certainly won't hurt anything.
So if there's a possible poor ground, an additional ground is better.
Old Apr 9, 2021 | 12:45 PM
  #53  
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Well, about three years ago when that sensor was replaced and all the oil was cleaned up, and it HAD to be done before the oil traveled into the ECM., it seemed to fix the gauge-steering-shifting-rough idle problem.
But the problem came back a half-dozen times since.
Now that I added that ground wire I have my fingers crossed.
BTW, that oil leak problem has happened on other HHRs.
Old Apr 19, 2021 | 07:48 PM
  #54  
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2006 HHR 2LT:
Okay, the crazy gauges, multiple warning lights and chimes, no power steering, and clicking coming from the shifter counsel - all came back this morning. Totally unexpected - when I used the keyfob remote start (after the car sat for 2 days). It started fine then stopped running after 5 seconds or so. It would not restart with the fob but it did start using the key. The ''check engine'' light is solid on too.
Anyone else have this problem lately?
Old Apr 19, 2021 | 07:58 PM
  #55  
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Sound a lot like dead battery or bad battery connections. Voltage related at any rate.
Old Apr 19, 2021 | 09:02 PM
  #56  
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Agree with donbrew.
Old Apr 20, 2021 | 07:05 AM
  #57  
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X3 ^^^^
Old May 25, 2021 | 01:31 PM
  #58  
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05.25.2021: Okay, over a month ago I ran that ground wire from the TCM. It didn't fix the crazy gauges/no power steering/hard shifting problem.
350 miles later all the same problems happened again PLUS the Remote Start on the keyfob failed by shutting the car down in 2 seconds and then it tried to restart itself over and over to no avail. The daytime running lights were flashing erratically too. These last two issues were 1st-time occurrences so I figured the underlying problem was getting worse.
I took it to an altogether different repair shop that services import car electrical problems. They traced it to a bad "Electric Brake and Traction Control Module." So a new module was installed and whatever needed programming was programmed, I have my fingers crossed. I'll let you all know how it performs down the road.
Another name they used for the EBTCM was "Electro-Hydraulic Control Unit" (remove and replace).
Old May 25, 2021 | 03:12 PM
  #59  
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Traction control module, as in the ABS brain? It could cause some of those problems. Fingers crossed, it’s fixed.
Old May 25, 2021 | 04:07 PM
  #60  
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GM calls it EBCM ElectronicBrakeControlModule.



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